Swine flu cases on the rise in Agra

Agra, Feb 17 (IANS) Eleven more swine flu cases have been reported here, taking the total number of cases to 37 this season, an official said Tuesday.

The figures have made the local tourism industry jittery ahead of the 10-day cultural extravaganza - Taj Mahotsava- beginning Wednesday.

"If the mercury doesn't shoot up in the next few days and the dreaded disease is not contained, it could adversely affect tourism with a fall in the number of visitors," said travel agent Amit Sisodia.

District health department officials said 11 new cases were reported Monday, out of which five are children. Officials said all necessary preventive measures are being taken.

All staffers, including doctors, have to compulsorily wear N-95 masks, a health department official said.

Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, said that if the swine flu scare was not contained through effective preventive measures, tourism could see a dip.

Meanwhile, social activists in the city have accused the municipal corporation of being callous towards civic cleanliness.

Volunteers of the India Rising group, Anand Rai, Sudershan Dua and Pramod Yadav, said heaps of garbage are seen everywhere and stray animals add to the litter.

The sewers are choked and the waste overflows on roads. The corporation has not bothered to clean up the drains, the trio added.

After the initial euphoria over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Clean India campaign, it has lost direction, added activist Shravan Kumar Singh.